Sr. Genevra Rolf retires as Utah Catholic Schools associate superintendent

Friday, Jul. 10, 2015

SALT LAKE CITY — Holy Cross Sister Genevra Rolf was honored and roasted during a staff farewell luncheon at the Diocese of Salt Lake City Pastoral Center June 30; she retired as Utah Catholic Schools associate superintendent. 

Holy Cross Sister Catherine Kamphaus is now the associate superintendent and Mark Longe, formerly principal of Saint Vincent de Paul School, has taken her place as superintendent.

During the luncheon, Monsignor J. Terrence Fitzgerald, vicar general emeritus, has known Sr. Genevra “many happy years” and he thinks of her as “the good and faithful servant of the Gospel … She doesn’t always have to be recognized, but she is always there to do the work, the service we are called to do,” he said. “Sr. Genevra has been dedicated to Utah and she has dedicated herself to the ministry; really caring that people be well educated. She has always had a future vision, she is very taken with advancement, progression – those are gifts of the Holy Cross she has shared with us.”

As a retirement gift, the diocese gave Sr. Genevra the use of a car, which will remain the property of the diocese.

Sr. Genevra has been a religious for 59 years; “she has basically given her whole life to the Church; there is no way to adequately give her thanks,” said Monsignor Colin F. Bircumshaw, the diocesan administrator. “As a gift we thought, ‘What would she appreciate – continuing to drive?’”

The gift came with humorous accessories. A certificate to accompany the car was read by Msgr. Bircumshaw; it began “Be it known that Sr. Genevra Rolf, CSC, having completed all the prescribed requirements and having been found somewhat worthy by those judged competent to make recommendations on her behalf, has been found worthy to retire, but still drive her venerable but somewhat wounded car for the Diocese of Salt Lake City. …

“The car has a few dings,” explained Msgr. Bircumshaw, who signed the certificate along with Deacon George W. Reade, chancellor of the Diocese of Salt Lake City.

Holy Cross Sisters Catherine Kamphaus and Kathleen Moroney also roasted Sr. Genevra. 

“We are very proud that Sr. Genevra has been a Sister of the Holy Cross and glad she is able to retire and enjoy the things she likes to do: read, play games on her Kindle, and not have to be at the office by a certain time,” Sr. Cathy said. 

Sr. Genevra is known for telling jokes and stories, including her famous “Sister Utropia” stories, said Sr. Kathleen. “No matter how many times she tells the stories, they make you laugh and she laughs with you.”

Sr. Genevra also tells stories about traveling around the world; “she can keep you entertained … and we have asked her to write these stories down,” Sr. Cathy said as she presented a binder with pens and pencils. “She can add pages; I want her to write because she’ll have to be thinking about the stories in a business way.” 

Among Sr. Genevra’s stories that might be included in the binder are those of her travels, such as when she visited Bangladesh, where, at 6 feet in height, Sr. Genevra was a foot taller than most of the native people, Sr. Kathleen said. “They can get a lot of people in a very small vehicle,” said Sr. Kathleen, adding Sr. Genevra did a lot of traveling in “baby taxies” while she was there.

In Uganda, Sr. Genevra learned how to hold a live chicken during a presentation in a serious ceremony, while in Bangkok she experienced trying to pay her hotel bill after her credit card had been compromised. 

Sr. Genevra, who celebrated her 80th birthday this year,  leaves a trail of friends and is a wonderful friend,” said Sr. Cathy.